Weightlifting apparatus



May 21, 1968 3,384,370

E. BAILEY ET AL WEIGHTLIFTING APPARATUS Filed March 29, 1966 INVENTOR.

EUGENE BAILEY ERNEST L. NELSDN ATTORNEYS United States Patent 3,384,370 WEIGHTLIFTING APPARATUS Eugene Bailey, 2528 Home Road, Grove City, Oh o 43123, and Ernest L. Nelson, Rte. 1, Orient, Ohio 43146 Filed Mar. 29, 1966, Ser. No. 538,362 2 Claims. (Cl. 272-84) The present invention relates generally to exercising apparatus and particularly to a novel weightlifting apparatus.

In general, the weightlifting apparatus of the present invention comprises a rod means to which conventional exercise weights are removably attached and a pair of rotatably mounted handle means disposed intermediate the ends of said rod means.

In the field of weight lifting, the standard two-hand device is the barbell. The user performs various exercise motions with the barbell with moderate weights attached thereto as well as attempting the lifting of relatively heavy weights to a position over the head.

However, of all the various exercises performed with moderate weights, only a rather limited number may be performed with the two-hand barbell. The remainder of such exercises must be performed using dumbbells which are designed to be manipulated using only one hand. Of course, the use of one handed devices presents some limitation in the size of weights employed as compared with the two-hand device.

In accordance with the present invention, the novel construction which includes a pair of rotatably mounted handle means permits the user to perform many exercises with a two-hand bar which cannot be performed with the barbells presently in use. In addition, many of the exercises that heretofore were performed with the conventional barbell may be performed with the apparatus of the present invention with greater ease of movement, more flexibility and less strain on the wrists and elbow joints of the user.

As another aspect of the present invention, the novel construction of the weight lifting apparatus permits the user while using even greater weights than are possible with one hand devices to perform many of the repetitive exercise motions heretofore performed only with one hand devices.

As another aspect of the present invention, the novel weight lifting apparatus is of simple construction and may be manufactured and fabricated at relatively low cost.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus of the type described which enables the user to perform .most of the standard weightlifting exercises with greater ease of movement, with greater flexibility and comfort and with less strain on the wrists, elbow joints and forearms.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an apparatus of the type described which permits the user to perform many exercises with a two-handed device which were possible before only with one-handed devices.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an apparatus of the type described which permits the user to perform entirely new exercise motions or variations of standard motions which are not possible to perform when using prior methods and means.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide an apparatus of the type described which may be manufactured and fabricated economically using standard materials and techniques.

Further objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings wherein a pre- 3,384,370 Patented May 21, 1968 ferred form of embodiment of the invention is clearly shown.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of a weightlifting apparatus constructed in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of a portion of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1 illustrating the construction of the ring and the handle means rotatably mounted therein; and

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view, partially in section of a portion of the ring and handle means shown in FIG. 2, illustrating the rotatably mounted bearing means disposed in a channel formed in the ring.

Referring in detail to the drawings, a weight lifting apparatus constructed in accordance with the present invention is illustrated in FIG. 1 and includes a rod means indicated generally at 20.

Rod means 20 includes an interior portion 22 and outer end portions 24 which are adapted in a conventional manner to receive standard detachably mounted exercise weights 21 such as for example the type manufactured by Roberts Manufacturing Co.

A pair of rings, indicated generally at 26, are rigidly connected to rod means 20 intermediate end portions 24 and spaced from each other by an interior portion 22. Any suitable means for fastening rings 26 to rod portions 22 and 24 may be employed such as welding, for example.

Referring specifically to FIGS. 2 and 3 each ring 26 includes an inner surface 28 provided with a recess or generally U-shaped channel 30 which extends completely around ring 26.

A handle means, indicated generally at 32, is rotatably mounted in each ring 26.

Each handle means 32 includes a grip portion 34, a bearing means in the form of roller bearings 36 and a connecting means in the form of a clevises 38.

Clevises 38 may be fastened to grip portions 34 in any conventional manner such as welding for example. Roller bearings 36 are rotatably mounted to a respective clevis 38 by pins 40 and are mounted in a respective channel 30.

In operation, the user addresses the weightlifting apparatus of the present invention in the same manner as a conventional barbell. However, in placing his hands on grip portions 34 of a respective handle means 32, the grip portions rotate under any torque applied when lifting the apparatus.

Assuming moderate weights are attached to outer end portions 24, the user then performs the particular exercise as desired.

It is important to point out that the rotatably mounted handle means 32 permits the user to perform standard exercises, such as for example, the two arm-rowing motion, French curl and side bend with bar overhead with greater ease of movement and comfort and in addition with very little strain on the wrists and elbow joints of the user.

Further, with the apparatus of the present invention, the user may perform modifications of the alternate curl with a two-handed bar in which the wrists may be rotated to various positions as rod means 20 is raised and lowered from approximately waist high to shoulder high by bending the forearms toward ones body while maintaining the upper arm portions approximately horizontal.

In general, the weightlifting apparatus of the present invention permits the user to perform with a two-handed device most of the exercises heretofore only possible to be performed with one-handed devices, such as dumbbells. In addition, greater weight may be lifted during these exercises and by necessity greater coordination of movement between both hand and arms is developed.

While the form of embodiment of the present invention as herein disclosed constitutes a preferred form, it is to be understood that other forms might be adopted, all coming within the scope of the claims which follow.

We claim:

1. A weightlifting apparatus comprising, in combination, rod means having outer ends providing means adapted for attachment to Weights; a pair of rings rigidly fastened to said rod means intermediate said outer ends, said rings being spaced from one another; and handle means positioned within and rotatably connected to each of said rings.

2. An exercising apparatus comprising, in combination, rod means having outer ends providing means adapted for attachment to weights; a pair of rings rigidly fastened to said rod means intermediate said outer ends, said rings being spaced from one another and including a recess extending completely around the inner surface of said rings; and handle means rotatably mounted within each of said rings, each of said handle means being provided with bearing means rotatably mounted to an outer end of said handle means and disposed in said recess for rolling engagement with said inner surface of a respective one of said rings.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 7/1906 Bohache 272-84 3/1920 Warner 27284 

1. A WEIGHTLIFTING APPARATUS COMPRISING IN COMBINATION, ROD MEANS HAVING OUTER ENDS PROVIDING MEANS ADAPTED FOR ATTACHMENT TO WEIGHTS; A PAIR OF RINGS RIGIDLY FASTENED TO SAID ROD MEANS INTERMEDIATE SAID OUTER ENDS, SAID RINGS BEING SPACED FROM ONE ANOTHER; AND HANDLE MEANS POSITIONED WITHIN AND ROTATABLY CONNECTED TO EACH OF SAID RINGS. 